Government ambulances not for sale, execs told

There is no truth to the rumor that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is soliciting money in exchange for the expeditious release of "ambulance donations."

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina raised this alert yesterday after at least seven mayors and local government officials fell victim to racketeers who asked money for the non-existent vehicles.

In a memorandum circular, Lina directed all provincial governors, city and municipal mayors, punong barangays and even DILG regional directors to immediately report to the police or the nearest DILG office any attempts by syndicates to "fix" alleged PCSO donations.

The memorandum stemmed from a letter to Lina sent by Maria Paz Magsalin, PCSO assistant general manager for administration, that denied the agency was donating ambulances to local government units.

In her letter, Magsalin informed Lina that the PCSO does not have any project donating ambulances to mayors, other local government units and institutions, and the public at large, much less require any deposit for the speedy release of these vehicles.

Magsalin also told Lina that a number of city and municipal mayors have in fact been contacted by unscrupulous individuals through cellular phones encouraging them to avail themselves of ambulance donations from the PCSO and to deposit P9,000 in a bank for registration and insurance purposes.

Among those who fell victim to the syndicate were officials from Victoria, Tarlac; San Carlos City; Talisay, Batangas; Liliw, Laguna; Plaridel, Bulacan; Binmaley, Pangasinan, and Borongan, Eastern Samar.

Lina stressed that the DILG has not authorized its officials or employees to negotiate with local authorities on the acquisition of ambulances from the PCSO.

"The Department will not be held responsible for any transaction entered into or might have been entered into, for and on its behalf, by any person or groups of persons in connection with donation of ambulances," Lina said.